Are You Ambivalent About a Relationship?

Is it them or is it you? Your ambivalence towards love and relationships could be sabotaging your chances at meeting the right person. Learn how to overcome ambivalence without ignoring your instincts.


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Of course no one thinks they are ambivalent. But in her book “If I’m so Wonderful Why Am I Still Single?” Susan Page points out that many people have a hidden ambivalence towards a real relationship. Page discusses the two groups of involuntary singles: those who want a relationship but haven’t found the right person yet, and those who consciously or unconsciously are ambivalent.

Both types say they want a relationship but the ambivalent find these things equally or more important:

  • Not having to take Risks
  • Progressing in my Career
  • Hanging on to my great Lifestyle
  • Avoiding Pain
  • Keeping my Secrets to Myself

The good news is there are ways to minimize your ambivalence and take control of your desire for a relationship. As Page explains, “When you get your ambivalence out in the open, you can make choices about it.”

Pay attention to signs of confusion – Things like fear, doubts, hesitation, endless debates in your head, and obsessive conversations with your friends indicate ambivalence about creating a relationship. Realize that if you can’t decide what you want, you may never get it.

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jayjay ...time to fall asleep holding my pillow.

State College, PA

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mystikchik wrote:

BottomsUp wrote:

MyStickChick-

Love what you wrote- don't agree with much of it but I enjoyed how you put it out there.

Trust me on this one, what you describe doesn't make you unmarriable or even permanently selfish... It just makes you 22

Hmm,mm I wonder if you are related to a woman I work with. She is always telling me "________ you'll see when you meet the right man everything will look differently to you." And I always tell her I am not the marrying kind. She just smiles at me and says "You'll see dear...you're just young yet, no one wants to live alone forever". I always tell her that living alone is cool, but she is never convinced.

Funny how often people tell me they enjoyed what I wrote but they can't agree with any of it!!! I wonder what that says about me? :-)

Don't you hate smug people who think they know you better than you know yourself??? So you're ambivalent about being in a relationship now. When you're older maybe you'll change and maybe you won't. What does it matter? Just do what is right for you at the time. All I'd add is DON'T get into a serious relationship that you are ambivalent about. These are challenging enough with two motivated and committed people.

- June 08, 2008 01:15 PM

FruitaBu has decided to set a goal..

Florida

Posts: 1145

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"Realize that if you can’t decide what you want, you may never get it"

Ambivalence is the opposite of decisiveness.

I think many people convince themselves they want a relationship while their actions say something completely different.

- June 07, 2008 08:09 AM

northestern ohio

Posts: 1

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Nancy24 wrote:

Spider wrote:

I have to confess that I am ambivalent. I want a relationship, but I treasure my solitude. I'm not sure how to balance those two needs, or if they can be balanced at all. So any man who enters my life will have to fit in precisely, and not violate my need for lots of "alone time". He'll have to be pretty self-sufficient himself and not need coddling or constant company - in fact, having his own (separate) home will be a must. I'm not a good housekeeper or cook, so he has to be independent and not need a mommy. Not many of those guys around here ...

But there's no compromise on that. I cannot lose my solitude and remain sane.

Hi Spider, I SO AGREE with your comments about your ambivalence! I have felt this way for years, and I have often wondered if there was something "wrong" with me for wanting to not let go of my solitude. I want true intimacy and a deep connection with someone that I cherish, but I don't necessarily want to live with that someone! The idea of having to supply constant company just makes me cringe at the very thought! I want to come home and think "hurray, solitude" instead of "oh great, he's going to be there wanting dinner and to talk to me." Yes I know, it sounds like I must be horribly asocial, but i'm really not. I just like having time to myself where I don't have to consider for even one moment, anyone's needs but my own. Do you suppose, Spider, that it's because we relate too intensely when we ARE with someone? I do tend to focus a lot of attention completely on the other person. I'm always aware that someone else is around, when they are. I"m a mother to two teenage sons, and even though they spend a ton of time in their bedrooms and don't interact with me all that much, and they're no trouble at all when they're home, I still LOVE it when I have the house completely to myself. And I don't know what your experiences have been, but in my experience, many men think I'm weird and wonde why I'm even on eHarmony. They assume I must not really want a relationship. I figure if they can't understand my needing space and alone time, then they are too needy for me. And I hold fast to my ideals and will not settle! We deserve what we most desire! So I trust that the right relationship is out there for me (and for you), because the "right" relationship means above all, the one I have with myself. I am very content with my life, and the right relationship would greatly enhance it, because who can't use more love in their life, right? But the wrong relationship, settling for less than what I want, would be a travesty. So hang in there -- you are not alone, and now I know I'm not alone either! :)

i broke off an engagment because the thoughy of walking down that rode just made me sick . im very set in my ways . maybe know will ever understand me and what im about.

- June 06, 2008 09:35 PM

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